Touch control structure and display apparatus with touch signal lines with double-layer region in a corner area

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 18/473,616, filed Sep. 25, 2023, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/438,777, filed Dec. 4, 2020, which is a national stage application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/CN2020/133924, filed Dec. 4, 2020. Each of the forgoing applications is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

The present invention relates to the field of display technology, more particularly, to a touch control structure and a display apparatus.

Various types of touch panels have been developed. Examples of touch panels include one-glass-solution (OGS) touch panels, on-cell touch panels, and in-cell touch panels. The on-cell touch panels provide high touch control accuracy. The on-cell touch panels can be classified into single-layer-on-cell (SLOC) touch panels and multi-layer-on-cell (MLOC) touch panels. In particular, multiple point touch control can be achieved in the MLOC touch panels with superior touch control accuracy and blanking effects.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a touch control structure, comprising a plurality of touch electrodes in a touch control area and a plurality of touch signal lines in a peripheral area; wherein a respective one of the plurality of touch signal lines comprises a double-layer structure in a double-layer region and a single-layer structure in a single-layer region; the peripheral area comprises a first sub-area on a first side of the touch control area, a second sub-area on a second side of the touch control area, a third sub-area on a third side of the touch control area, a fourth sub-area on a fourth side of the touch control area; the first sub-area comprises a side region, and one or more corner regions respectively at one or more corners of the touch control structure; wherein the double-layer region and the single-layer region are in the first sub-area, the first sub-area has a first shortest width along a direction from the touch control area to the first sub-area, the first shortest width is greater than a shortest width of at least one of sub-areas of the peripheral area other than the first sub-area; a plurality of adjacent double-layer structures in the double-layer region are respectively connected to a plurality of adjacent single-layer structures in the single-layer region; and the double-layer region is at least partially in the one or more corner regions.

Optionally, at least two of the plurality of adjacent single-layer structures are respectively in a first layer and a second layer; and the touch control structure further comprises a touch insulating layer between the first layer and the second layer.

Optionally, the first sub-region is a sub-region where multiple touch signal lines are connected to an integrated circuit

Optionally, a region where the double-layer structure transitions to the single-layer structure is at least partially in the one or more corner regions.

Optionally, the double-layer region is at least partially in at least one of the second sub-area, the third sub-area, or the fourth sub-area.

Optionally, the single-layer region is in the side region.

Optionally, a respective double-layer structure comprises a first portion in the first layer and a second portion in the second layer; a first adjacent respective single-layer structure in the first layer is connected to a respective first portion of a first adjacent double-layer structure; and a second adjacent respective single-layer structure in the second layer is connected to a respective second portion of a second adjacent double-layer structure.

Optionally, the first portion and the second portion are connected through a connecting via extending through the touch insulating layer.

Optionally, multiple first double-layer structures respectively of multiple touch signal lines of the plurality of touch signal lines are clustered in a first region; multiple first single-layer structures respectively of the multiple touch signal lines of the plurality of touch signal lines are clustered in a second region; the multiple first double-layer structures are substantially parallel to each other, and respectively extend along a first direction; the multiple first single-layer structures are substantially parallel to each other, and respectively extend along a second direction; at least two of the multiple first single-layer structures are respectively in the first layer and the second layer; and the first direction and the second direction are different from each other, and intersecting each other at an angle greater than zero.

Optionally, multiple connecting points respectively connecting the multiple first double-layer structures and the multiple first single-layer structures are arranged along a seventh direction; and the second direction and the seventh direction intersect each other at an angle in a range of 6 degrees to 15 degrees.

Optionally, multiple first single-layer structures respectively of multiple touch signal lines of the plurality of touch signal lines are clustered in a second region; multiple second single-layer structures respectively of the multiple touch signal lines of the plurality of touch signal lines are clustered in a third region; the multiple second single-layer structures are respectively connected to the multiple first single-layer structures; the multiple first single-layer structures are substantially parallel to each other, and respectively extend along a second direction; the multiple second single-layer structures are substantially parallel to each other, and respectively extend along a third direction; at least two of the multiple second single-layer structures are respectively in the first layer and the second layer; and the second direction and the third direction are different from each other, and intersecting each other at an angle greater than zero.

Optionally, the second direction and the third direction intersect each other at an angle in a range of 15 degrees to 25 degrees.

Optionally, multiple connecting points respectively connecting the multiple first single-layer structures and the multiple second single-layer structures are arranged along a fourth direction; and the second direction and the fourth direction intersect each other at an angle in a range of 20 degrees to 40 degrees.

Optionally, multiple second single-layer structures respectively of multiple touch signal lines of the plurality of touch signal lines are clustered in a third region; multiple second double-layer structures respectively of the multiple touch signal lines of the plurality of touch signal lines are clustered in a fourth region; the multiple second single-layer structures are substantially parallel to each other, and respectively extend along a third direction; the multiple second double-layer structures are substantially parallel to each other, and respectively extend along a fifth direction; at least two of the multiple second single-layer structures are respectively in the first layer and the second layer; the multiple second single-layer structures are respectively connected to the multiple second double-layer structures; and multiple second connecting points respectively connecting the multiple second single-layer structures and the multiple second double-layer structures are arranged along a sixth direction.

Optionally, the sixth direction is substantially parallel to the second direction.

Optionally, the touch control structure comprises a via extending through the touch insulating layer at a respective second connecting point, a material in the second layer connected to a material in the first layer through the via.

Optionally, multiple third double-layer structures respectively of multiple touch signal lines of the plurality of touch signal lines are clustered in a fifth region; multiple fourth double-layer structures respectively of the multiple touch signal lines of the plurality of touch signal lines are clustered in a sixth region; multiple third single-layer structures respectively of the multiple touch signal lines of the plurality of touch signal lines are clustered in a seventh region; a respective one of the multiple third single-layer structures is a half loop structure connecting a respective one of the multiple third double-layer structures and a respective one of the multiple fourth double-layer structures; the half loop structure comprises two parallel portions respectively extending along a second direction and a connecting portion connecting the two parallel portions together; at least two of the multiple third single-layer structures are respectively in the first layer and the second layer; the multiple third double-layer structures are substantially parallel to each other, and respectively extend along a first direction; the multiple fourth double-layer structures are substantially parallel to each other, and respectively extend along the first direction; and the first direction and the second direction are different from each other, and intersecting each other at an angle greater than zero.

Optionally, multiple fourth single-layer structures respectively of the multiple touch signal lines of the plurality of touch signal lines are clustered in an eighth region; the multiple fourth single-layer structures are respectively connected to the multiple third double-layer structures; the multiple fourth single-layer structures are substantially parallel to each other, and respectively extend along the second direction; and the multiple fourth single-layer structures are at least a sub-set of multiple first single-layer structures.

Optionally, the plurality of touch electrodes comprise a plurality of first mesh electrodes arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of second mesh electrodes arranged in a plurality of columns; and the plurality of first mesh electrodes and the plurality of second mesh electrodes are in the second layer.

Optionally, the touch control structure further comprises a plurality of touch electrode bridges in the first layer; and vias extending through the touch insulating layer; wherein the plurality of touch electrode bridges respectively extend through the vias to respectively connect adjacent second mesh blocks in a respective column of a plurality of column of the plurality of second mesh electrodes.

Optionally, the plurality of touch signal lines comprise a plurality of first touch signal lines respectively connected to the plurality of first mesh electrodes; a plurality of second touch signal lines respectively connected to first terminals of the plurality of second mesh electrodes; and a plurality of third touch signal lines respectively connected to second terminals of the plurality of second mesh electrodes.

Optionally, the touch control structure is limited in a touch control region and absent in a window region at least partially surrounded by the touch control region; wherein a window-crossing row of the plurality of first mesh electrodes comprises a first mesh block and a second mesh block respectively on a first side and a second side of the window region; a first conductive plate directly connected to multiple mesh lines of the first mesh block; a second conductive plate directly connected to multiple mesh lines of the second mesh block; and a first conductive bridge connecting the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate; wherein the first conductive plate, the second conductive plate, and the first conductive bridge are respectively around a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion of a periphery of the window region; the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate are in the second layer; and the first conductive bridge is in the first layer.

Optionally, the respective one of the plurality of touch signal lines has a line width in a range of 2.5 μm to 4.5 μm; orthographic projections of adjacent single-layer structures on a base substrate are spaced apart by a shortest distance in a range of 1.1 μm to 3.1 μm; orthographic projections of adjacent single-layer structures in the first layer on the base substrate are spaced apart by a shortest distance in a range of 4.7 μm to 10.7 μm; and orthographic projections of adjacent single-layer structures in the second layer on the base substrate are spaced apart by a shortest distance in a range of 4.7 μm to 10.7 μm.

Optionally, at least two adjacent single-layer structures respectively in the first layer and the second layer are electrically connected to adjacent rows of touch electrodes.

Optionally, the first shortest width is smaller than a reference first shortest width in a corresponding first sub-area in a reference touch control structure in which touch signal lines have a double-layer structure throughout the peripheral area.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a display apparatus, comprising a display panel; the touch control structure described herein or fabricated by a method described herein; and an integrated circuit.

Optionally, the display panel comprises a plurality of light emitting elements; an encapsulating layer on the plurality of light emitting elements, wherein the encapsulating layer comprising a first inorganic encapsulating layer, an organic encapsulating layer on a side of the first inorganic encapsulating layer away from the plurality of light emitting elements, a second inorganic encapsulating layer on a side of the organic encapsulating layer away from the first inorganic encapsulating layer; and a buffer layer on a side of the second inorganic encapsulating layer away from the organic encapsulating layer; wherein the touch insulating layer is on a side of the buffer layer away from the second inorganic encapsulating layer.

The disclosure will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the following descriptions of some embodiments are presented herein for purpose of illustration and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed.

The present disclosure provides, inter alia, a touch control structure and a display apparatus that substantially obviate one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a touch control structure. In some embodiments, the touch control structure includes a plurality of touch electrodes in a touch control area and a plurality of touch signal lines in a peripheral area. A respective one of the plurality of touch signal lines includes a double-layer structure in a double-layer region and a single-layer structure in a single-layer region. Optionally, the double-layer region and the single-layer region are in a first sub-area of the peripheral area where the plurality of touch signal lines connect to an integrated circuit, the first sub-area has a first shortest width along a direction from the touch control area to the first sub-area, the first shortest width is greater than a shortest width of at least one of sub-areas of the peripheral area other than the first sub-area. Optionally, a plurality of adjacent double-layer structures in the double-layer region are respectively connected to a plurality of adjacent single-layer structures in the single-layer region. Optionally, at least two of the plurality of adjacent single-layer structures are respectively in a first layer and a second layer. Optionally, the touch control structure further includes a touch insulating layer between the first layer and the second layer.

is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a touch control structure in some embodiments according to the present disclosure. Referring to, the touch control structure in some embodiments includes a plurality of first mesh electrodes TEarranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of second mesh electrodes TEarranged in a plurality of columns. Adjacent rows of the plurality of rows are isolated from each other. Adjacent columns of the plurality of columns are isolated from each other. Optionally, the touch control structure is a mutual capacitance type touch control structure. Optionally, the plurality of first mesh electrodes TEare a plurality of touch sensing electrodes, and the plurality of second mesh electrodes TEare a plurality of touch scanning electrodes. Optionally, the plurality of first mesh electrodes TEare a plurality of touch scanning electrodes, and the plurality of second mesh electrodes TEare a plurality of touch sensing electrodes.

In some embodiments, the plurality of touch signal lines include a plurality of first touch signal lines SGLrespectively connected to the plurality of first mesh electrodes TE; a plurality of second touch signal lines SGLrespectively connected to first terminals Tof the plurality of second mesh electrodes TE; and a plurality of third touch signal lines SGLrespectively connected to second terminals Tof the plurality of second mesh electrodes TE. Optionally, a respective one of the plurality of first mesh electrodes TEto a respective one of the plurality of first touch signal lines SGL. Optionally, a respective one of the plurality of second mesh electrodes TEis connected to a respective one of the plurality of second touch signal lines SGL, and connected to a respective one of the plurality of third touch signal lines SGL.

In some embodiments, the respective one of the plurality of first mesh electrodes TEextends along a second direction DR; and the respective one of the plurality of second mesh electrodes TEextends along a first direction DR. Optionally, the first direction DRand the second direction DRare two non-parallel directions, for example, the first direction DRand the second direction DRcross over each other. Optionally, the first direction DRand the second direction DRare perpendicular to each other. Optionally, the first direction DRand the second direction DRcross over each other at an inclined angle that is not 90 degrees.

In some embodiments, the plurality of touch electrodes (e.g., the plurality of first mesh electrodes TEand the plurality of second mesh electrodes TE) are in a touch control area TCA, and the plurality of touch signal lines (e.g., the plurality of first touch signal lines SGL, the plurality of second touch signal lines SGL, and the plurality of third touch signal lines SGL) are in a peripheral area PA outside of the touch control area TCA.

is a schematic diagram illustrating a touch control area and a peripheral area in a touch control structure in some embodiments according to the present disclosure. Referring to, in some embodiments, the peripheral area PA includes a first sub-area PAon a first side Sof the touch control area TCA, a second sub-area PAon a second side Sof the touch control area TCA, a third sub-area PAon a third side Sof the touch control area TCA, a fourth sub-area PAon a fourth side Sof the touch control area TCA. Optionally, the first side Sand the fourth side Sare opposite to each other. Optionally, the second side Sand the third side Sare opposite to each other. Optionally, the first sub-area PAis a sub-area where the plurality of first touch signal lines SGL, the plurality of second touch signal lines SGL, and the plurality of third touch signal lines SGLare connected to an integrated circuit (e.g., an integrated touch control circuit).

In some embodiments, the first sub-area PAincludes a side region SR and one or more corner regions (e.g., a first corner region CRand a second corner region CR). The one or more corner regions are respectively at a corner of the touch control structure. The one or more corner regions respectively connect the side region SR to one or more adjacent sub-areas of the peripheral area PA. For example, the first corner region CRconnects the side region SR to the second sub-area PA, and the second corner region CRconnects the side region SR to the third sub-area PA.

In some embodiments, the first sub-area PAhas a first shortest width walong a direction from the touch control area TCA to the first sub-area PAL. Optionally, the second sub-area PAhas a second shortest width walong a direction from the touch control area TCA to the second sub-area PA. Optionally, the third sub-area PAhas a third shortest width walong a direction from the touch control area TCA to the third sub-area PA. Optionally, the fourth sub-area PAhas a fourth shortest width walong a direction from the touch control area TCA to the fourth sub-area PA. In some embodiments, the first shortest width wis greater than at least one of the other shortest widths, e.g., greater than at least one of the second shortest width w, the third shortest width w, or the fourth shortest width w. Optionally, the first shortest width wis greater than any one of the other shortest widths, e.g., greater than the second shortest width w, greater than the third shortest width w, and greater than the fourth shortest width w.

is a partial zoom-in view of a touch control structure in a region transition from a touch control area to a peripheral area in some embodiments according to the present disclosure. Referring to, the touch control structure in some embodiments includes a plurality of touch signal lines. A respective one of the plurality of touch signal lines in some embodiments includes a double-layer structure DLS in a double-layer region DLR and a single-layer structure SLS in a single-layer region SLR. The double-layer region DLR and the single-layer region SLR are in the peripheral area of the touch control structure. In some embodiments, the double-layer region DLR and the single-layer region SLR are in the first sub-area PAL.

In some embodiments, the touch control structure includes a plurality of adjacent double-layer structures and a plurality of adjacent single-layer structures. In some embodiments, at least two of the plurality of adjacent single-layer structures are respectively in a first layer and a second layer.is a further zoom-in view of a zoom-in region in.is a cross-sectional view along an A-A′ line in.is a cross-sectional view along a B-B′ line in.is a cross-sectional view along a C-C′ line in. Referring to,to, a plurality of adjacent double-layer structures ADLS in the double-layer region DLR are respectively connected to a plurality of adjacent single-layer structures ASLS in the single-layer region SLR. Referring toto, in some embodiments, at least two of the plurality of adjacent single-layer structures are respectively in a first layer SLand a second layer SL. In one example depicted into, the plurality of adjacent single-layer structures ASLS are alternately in a first layer SLand a second layer SL. In the context of the present disclosure, the plurality of adjacent single-layer structures ASLS are portions of touch signal lines. For example, referring to,,to, at least two adjacent single-layer structures respectively in the first layer SLand the second layer SLare electrically connected to adjacent rows of touch electrodes.

In one example as shown into, the touch control structure includes a buffer layer BUF on a second inorganic encapsulating sub-layer CVD, the second inorganic encapsulating sub-layer CVDbeing a sub-layer of an encapsulating layer for encapsulating light emitting elements in a display apparatus having the touch control structure. In some embodiments, the touch control structure further includes a first layer SLon a side of the buffer layer BUF away from the second inorganic encapsulating sub-layer CVD, a touch insulating layer TI on a side of the first layer SLaway from the buffer layer BUF, a second layer SLon a side of the touch insulating layer TI away from the first layer SL, and an overcoat layer OC on a side of the second layer SLaway from the touch insulating layer TI.

In some embodiments, a respective double-layer structure includes a first portion Pin the first layer SLand a second portion Pin the second layer SL, as depicted into. As shown in, a first adjacent respective single-layer structure ASLSin the second layer SLis connected to a respective second portion Pof a first adjacent double-layer structure ADLS. A second adjacent respective single-layer structure ASLSin the first layer SLis connected to a respective first portion Pof a second adjacent double-layer structure ADLS. Optionally, the first adjacent respective single-layer structure ASLSin the second layer SLis continuously connected to the respective second portion Pof a first adjacent double-layer structure ADLS, forming a unitary structure. Optionally, the second adjacent respective single-layer structure ASLSin the first layer SLis continuously connected to the respective first portion Pof a second adjacent double-layer structure ADLS, forming a unitary structure.

Referring toand, in some embodiments, at least two of the plurality of adjacent single-layer structures ASLS are respectively in a first layer SLand a second layer SL. In one example depicted inand, the plurality of adjacent single-layer structures ASLS are alternately in a first layer SLand a second layer SL. The inventors of the present disclosure discover that by having this structure, a pitch of the plurality of touch signal lines can be significantly decreased, a display apparatus having the present touch structure can be made to have a much narrower peripheral area. In one example, a width of a peripheral area from a display area to an edge of the display panel can be reduced from 1.36 mm to 1.076 mm. In another example, a distance between the display area and a signal line more distant to the display area can be reduced from 0.435 mm to 0.331 mm. Moreover, the signal lines in a same layer, for example, single-layer structures in the first layer SLcan be further spaced apart from each other, avoiding short. By having the single-layer structures in a same layer spaced apart further, it also reduces the complication involved in making a mask plate for patterning of the plurality of signal lines, and makes the etching process less prone to defects.

For example, the first sub-area of the peripheral area having the double-layer region and the single-layer region discussed above has a first shortest width along a direction from the touch control area to the first sub-area. The first shortest width can be reduced from 1.36 mm to 1.076 mm. The reference value 1.36 mm may be a reference first shortest width of a corresponding first sub-area of the peripheral area in a reference touch control structure that does not have the double-layer region and the single-layer region of the present disclosure. In one example, touch signal lines of the reference touch control structure adopt a double-layer structure throughout the peripheral area. By forming the touch signal lines to have an intricate structure as discussed in the present disclosure, the first shortest width in the first sub-area can be reduced as compared to that in the reference touch control structure.

For example, normally a minimum pitch of 7.5 μm is required to avoid defects such as short and etching defects. By having the plurality of adjacent single-layer structures ASLS alternately disposed in the first layer SLand the second layer SL, a minimum pitch can be significantly reduced to 5.6 μm or less. Further, signal lines in a same layer can be spaced apart, for example, from 7.5 μm to 11.2 μm or more.

In some embodiments, the respective one of the plurality of touch signal lines has a line width in a range of 2.5 μm to 4.5 μm, e.g., 2.5 μm to 3.0 μm, 3.0 μm to 3.5 μm, 3.5 μm to 4.0 μm, or 4.0 μm to 4.5 μm. Optionally, the respective one of the plurality of touch signal lines has a line width of 3.5 μm. In some embodiments, the plurality of adjacent single-layer structures ASLS has a line width (denoted as lw in) in a range of 2.5 μm to 4.5 μm, e.g., 2.5 μm to 3.0 μm, 3.0 μm to 3.5 μm, 3.5 μm to 4.0 μm, or 4.0 μm to 4.5 μm. Optionally, the plurality of adjacent single-layer structures ASLS has a line width of 3.5 μm. In some embodiments, the plurality of adjacent double-layer structures ADLS has a line width in a range of 2.5 μm to 4.5 μm, e.g., 2.5 μm to 3.0 μm, 3.0 μm to 3.5 μm, 3.5 μm to 4.0 μm, or 4.0 μm to 4.5 μm. Optionally, the plurality of adjacent double-layer structures ADLS has a line width of 3.5 μm.

Referring to, in some embodiments, orthographic projections of adjacent single-layer structures on a base substrate are spaced apart by a shortest distance d in a range of 1.1 μm to 3.1 μm, e.g., 1.1 μm to 1.6 μm, 1.6 μm to 2.1 μm, or 2.6 μm to 3.1 μm. Optionally, the orthographic projections of adjacent single-layer structures on a base substrate are spaced apart by a shortest distance of 2.1 μm. In some embodiments, orthographic projections of adjacent single-layer structures in the first layer SLon the base substrate are spaced apart by a shortest distance din a range of 4.7 μm to 10.7 μm, e.g., 4.7 μm to 5.7 μm, 5.7 μm to 6.7 μm, 6.7 μm to 7.7 μm, 7.7 μm to 8.7 μm, 8.7 μm to 9.7 μm, or 9.7 μm to 10.7 μm. Optionally, the orthographic projections of adjacent single-layer structures in the first layer SLon the base substrate are spaced apart by a shortest distance of 7.7 μm. In some embodiments, orthographic projections of adjacent single-layer structures in the second layer SLon the base substrate are spaced apart by a shortest distance din a range of 4.7 μm to 10.7 μm, e.g., 4.7 μm to 5.7 μm, 5.7 μm to 6.7 μm, 6.7 μm to 7.7 μm, 7.7 μm to 8.7 μm, 8.7 μm to 9.7 μm, or 9.7 μm to 10.7 μm. Optionally, the orthographic projections of adjacent single-layer structures in the second layer SLon the base substrate are spaced apart by a shortest distance of 7.7 μm.

Referring to, Optionally, orthographic projections of adjacent single-layer structures in the first layer SLand the second layer SLare non-overlapping with each other.

is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of adjacent single-layer structures ASLS in the single-layer region in some embodiments according to the present disclosure. Referring to, in some embodiments, orthographic projections of adjacent single-layer structures of the plurality of adjacent single-layer structures ASLS on a base substrate directly abutting each other.